While I didn't always find the first 2/3 engaging, overall I did enjoy this book. The most trying moments are those when Laurel is recounting the dead person's life back to them, obviously because the reader may not know these things. Really though, it would be odd for her to write those things in the way that she does, since the letters aren't intended to be read by anyone but her. I do think there is a lovely subtle expression of the huge number of dangerous situations girls find themselves in sexually. And I think that the overall culture and ebb and flow of high school relationships is presented very well too.